The Freedom to Read Nevada logo, which says "Freedom to Read" in larger letters and "Nevada" underneath. Hubert the bookworm flies beside it. Art by Figbar Lonesome.

Freedom to Read Nevada

JUNE MEMBER UPDATES

The Freedom to Read Nevada logo, which says "Freedom to Read" in larger letters and "Nevada" underneath. Hubert the bookworm flies beside it. Art by Figbar Lonesome.
An image of empty shelves with text over it that says, "Finally... a library collection that offends no one."
Image courtesy of the Kansas Pubic Library

In Summary

  • Our members meeting on Sunday, June 15 is CANCELED. However, you can still head to Indivisible’s library group’s meeting that day at 11:15a.m. at the Sparks Library. Our next members meeting will be on July 13.
  • Upcoming BCC meeting discussing Trustee Tami Ruf’s reappointment: Tuesday, June 17, 10a.m.
  • Upcoming LBOT meeting: Wednesday, June 18, 5:30p.m. at the Incline Village Library
  • All of our merch is through Figbar Lonesome’s Redbubble page. Please double-check the URL before purchasing, as we’ve found a handful of scam sites.

Legislative Updates

The legislative session is now over, and AB 416, the anti book banning bill, has landed at the governor’s desk. You can use this ABA form to encourage him to sign the bill and protect the freedom to read for all Nevadans. You can also reach out to his office directly.

Upcoming BCC Meeting

Tuesday at 10a.m., June 17, at 1001 E. Ninth Street, Building A, Reno, NV 89512

At this meeting, the commissioners will be discussing whether or not to reappoint Tami Ruf as a library trustee. We encourage our commissioners to reappoint trustees to maintain and increase institutional knowledge. Reach out to the commissioners to share your perspective!

Need help figuring out what to say? Check out our guide to giving public comment. If you don’t plan to give comment, you can still show up with a book to show your support!

Library Board Meeting

Wednesday, June 18, at 5:30p.m. at Incline Village Library (845 Alder Ave, Incline Village, NV 89451)

Per last month’s meeting, we anticipate the agenda will include appointing Stacy Mackenzie as the interim director, discussing the library director search, and discussing whether the county should hire an independent auditor for the library.

Check out our guide to giving public comment to help express yourself to our library board!

Save the Dates!

We’re cancelling our June 15 meeting because of Father’s Day. However, the Indivisible library group will still meet that Sunday, June 15, at 11:15a.m. at the Sparks Library, and have welcomed FtR-NV members to join.

Our next members meeting is on July 13 at the Spanish Springs Library. More details forthcoming.

Recommended Reading

The Steering Committee is finishing up our reading of Empire of Normality: Neurodiversity and Capitalism. We’re still deciding on the next book, but up there is Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by adrienne maree brown.

Interested in FtR-NV merch?

Our member-artist Figbar Lonesome has a Redbubble page where you can purchase official FtR-NV merchandise. Whether you’re looking for a t-shirt, tote, tank, or something else, this is our only merch page. We’ve gotten wind there are scam pages out there. PLEASE make sure you are using this Redbubble link before purchasing anything!!

Getting this email but haven’t filled out the pledge form?

Please do!! It takes five seconds! All the pledge form does is allow us to officially count you among our number of supporters. That’s it—we don’t charge a membership fee or gatekeep information. You must opt-in this way in order to be counted.

Pledge Your Support

(Wondering how you got on this list? You previously signed our petition to stand against censorship in Washoe County, and when we moved websites, we imported your information.)

Local Mutual Aid & Activism Events

(What’s mutual aid?)

  • Good Neighbors Reno is celebrating their community warming center volunteers and invite community members and groups to join in. On June 29, from 6-9pm, head to the River School Farm to learn how our local community is coming together. RSVP using the QR code at the link; the event is free. Email goodneighborsreno@gmail.com with questions.
  • Hampton House Gardens presents Reno Family Dinner! Currently, dinners are every Sunday at 4:30pm and 6pm; all are welcome.
  • Every Saturday from 10-12pm at Bennett Park: Biggest Little Food Not Bombs serves free meals! Learn more and find out how you can get involved.
  • Every Sunday from 12-2pm: Northern Nevada Harm Reduction Alliance hangs in the Radical Cat parking lot to provide harm reduction services and equipment. (IG here)
  • Every other Sunday, 12pm: Reno Burrito Project rolls burritos at the Center of Influence food pantry at 1095 East Taylor Street, and distributes them starting at 2pm from the parking lot at Evans Ave and East 6th Street. Their next dates are June 15 and 29. Currently, they do not need volunteers, but in general, you can help with donations, rolling, or distributing (or all three!). 
  • Every Tuesday at 6pm: Family Soup Mutual Aid distributes hot food and necessities at the Belief Plaza to anyone in need, no questions asked. Check out their LinkTree to sign up for their newsletter, donate via Venmo, or volunteer to bring food! They’re currently accepting donations for summer items to help our unhoused neighbors.
  • Besides their regular Thursday meetings, CodePink Reno is urging people to call on behalf of the Freedom Flotilla’s boat Madleen, which was boarded by IOF yesterday. They have a script and list of numbers here. 
  • Every Friday from 12-2pm: Laundry to the People offers a laundry service to our unhoused neighbors at Champion Laundry Center (1301 S Wells Ave; NEW LOCATION!). They’re always in need of supplies like laundry detergent, heavy-duty trash bags, color-safe bleach, fabric softener, and dryer sheets. If you can’t meet up with them on Friday, you can bring donations to The Rad Cat!
  • Every other Friday from 8-10am, Good Deed Seeds asks volunteers to join weedapalooza! They have a free seed library, and you can take home some tasty weeds… probably.
  • Biggest Free Little Pantry has several active locations where you can pick up or drop off food. Addresses for all their locations are in their Instagram bio.
  • Keep an eye out for the next Earth Care Coop NV event; they just had an Earth Care Fair last week. Email EarthCareCoOpNV@gmail.com to get connected.
  • The Reno Sunrise Movement did their May zitching event at the end of the month, so follow them for when the June event date drops.
  • Urban Roots Nevada just had their annual Soil Palooza and are recovering from that, but they are asking for children’s books (ages 5-14) donations for their farm camp program. Check out their website to see other upcoming events.
  • While they have not posted recently, HeaterBloc Reno is a volunteer-run community DIY group supporting our unhoused neighbors. They host build days for their tent-safe heaters and often need donations for those supplies. Since the weather is warmer, they are likely on hiatus, but may have interim plans, so keep them on your radar.

There should probably be a library joke here to sign off, but this newsletter is already overdue.

—FtR-NV Steering Committee

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